L.O.V.E

[L]istening to God's whisper among chaos brings

[O]ptimistic feelings when you're down

[V]ictory belongs to us through and with God

[E]very single day as we strive to do better.




Written By,
Claysong(C)

Ode to the Bible

O Holy Word
Your scriptures are brightly highlighted
It is the hour of God's infinite love.

For so long we stay in busyness and ignore you
until at our wits end do we become and seek Him.

The spark of ambition and dreams this worry-some
world holds onto, for tomorrow brings a new and
powerful way.

Fall on your knees,
O cling and listen to His heavenly messages
Oh word you are anointed
Oh anointed word, when Christ speaks
Oh Holy word, you are priceless and precious.



Written By,
Claysong(C)
(Inspired by O Holy Night)

Hearts Symphony

True love, the ultimate gift of one lonely heart beating while waiting
 for its soul mate to answer back by completing the song within.

Each of us has a Heart's Symphony that needs to be written,
but it can only be done when we are complete.

You will know when your symphony is finished when your heart
beats for that special someone the way it never beats for anyone else.
When its more than just in the heat of the moment.

Those feelings of knowing you would be lost or lonely without each other.
When the other person accepts you; faults, scars, and all and still brings
out the best in you. The one who can calm your fears and catch your
tears through the years and not hold them against you.

It's amazing when you go from a small song to a full Symphony.
Treasure it because true love is precious and priceless.



Written by,
Claysong(C)

The Burdens

The burdens I carry from day to day
are like a heaviness placed upon my mind
and heart that pushes down upon my spine.
It is almost as if my spirit and soul has
parted ways.

The pain travels down to the pit
of my stomach. And I have the
bitter taste of guilt and shame
lingering in my throat.

Constantly having the hounding question
of, "What more could I have done?"
Playing over and over in my head like
a broken record.

I was afraid that I had held on to too much,
or that I had angered God to the point that He
wouldn't want me.

Yet somewhere below the burning pit,
I felt a calming presence calling to me;
telling me to let things go and to lean on Him.
Reminding me that He loves me no matter what,
and He will be waiting for me when I am ready.

Somehow I knew I needed to cry out
and pray to Him but I just couldn't find
the strength within me.

It was as if I was bolted where I sat
and gravity wouldn't let let me move no
matter how much I tried.

I felt like I had betrayed those whom I
loved or was responsible for. Like everything
that I ever worked for had just exploded.

These feelings and symptoms of the tragedies
that I have been through, won't run their coarse
in a week like a cold; or fade away over time like
an old picture.

I know I need to work through these feelings.
For if I don't, I could forever be trapped in this
lost and worthless state of mind.

Within my grasp is healing and growth,
if I would just grab the hand that has reached
out for me. Someday I will actually take His hand,
and when I do His strength will be mine.

It can be scary but fulfilling to release
the pressure I've carried for so long.
He will carry my burdens, my pain,
and my sorrows when I give them
to Him.

Peace is possible and attainable
for us all who carry those deep
burdens. But we all have to be
willing to lay them down.


Written By,
Claysong(C)

Reach Toward the Stars

When you feel all hope is lost, 
don't let your head fall in despair
or shed a tear. Instead, reach
toward the stars and grab the rope
that God lowers.


There are many times we get ourselves
in situations that aren't always our fault,
but every decision causes a reaction.


We pray and cry out to God, not only
to hear us; but to rescue and fix us from
the inside out. Sometimes we don't hear Him,
but He softly and tenderly calls out; "Look up,
reach toward the stars. Grab the rope and get
energized with my hope in you."


Look forward not back, look up not down;
the stars are reachable. Believe in yourself
as god believes in you. 


Reach Toward the Stars!




Written By,
Claysong(C)

Dead Giveaway

No matter how hard we try to suppress

the shy, timid, lonely, or depressed 

child, he or she gets trapped inside our 

optimistic adult selves. Like two quarrelsome friends, 

our hearts and minds struggle to stay neutral.

Acting as if nothing is wrong,

our inner selves burst out while

we are trying to just go with the flow

and be seen and not heard.

Obviously the nervousness becomes

dead giveaways to everyone but us.

Receding from the world, 

we hide within ourselves trying to 

lock out pain and disappointment. 

Not only from others, but from ourselves. 

Carefully we guard our words and actions;

but there is nothing we can do about

our feelings. Instant downers as they

become dead giveaways and can't be swayed. 

Desperately we attempt to let the

happy-go-lucky, worry 'bout nothin'

child out and have fun. Then life happens 

and snaps us back to reality and we have to keep

our sanity.

Reaching out for what we once had

but will never again: no time limits,

no curfews, or no interest about what's 

in the news.

When gravity pulls us back down

to Earth, it's a shame what we hide

from others, but especially from ourselves.

It's a dead giveaway.

Written By,

Claysong(C)

PTSD's Reflection

Forever trapped to wear one mask 

for the day and another for the night. 

Feeling like my life is a non-stop bullfight.

Lost in the sight of my own self,

I'm caught between putting on 

a smile and saying, "I'm fine."

Meanwhile, inside I'm falling

faster than sand in a timer,

desperately wanting to scream,

"I don't want to be confined anymore!"

Traveling within the walls of my mind,

I slide ever so slowly between my night-

mares and reality. Sometimes not knowing 

which is which is confusing.

These feelings keep me from being able

to determine whether I am angry or batty,

so I come off to others as a bully.

There are days on end that I will pull

all nighters or wake up every two hours

at a time. I would hide myself from the

world as if I had committed a crime.

Living with PTSD and Bi-polar disorder

leaves you feeling like a high functioning

mentally challenged ticking time bomb.

One that can crumble in a second like

eggshells.

With help, love, and a good support system,

we can blend into society and you would

never know. 

To get respect, you have to give it. 

You must remember, you never know

what a person has been through.

The very freedom we all have, is because

of those who have fought for this country.

Don't be a hinder but a helper.

Written By,

Claysong(C)

Faith at the Darkest Moment by Haley Whitehall

Faith at the Darkest Moment

By Haley Whitehall

Keeping faith at the darkest moment is perhaps the hardest thing a person can do. Many times people lose a loved one, experience a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina, fight to eek out an existence in a poor economy and blame God. Some go farther and even turn their back on Him. They wonder, “Why would He let me experience such pain? If He was there for me, He would have kept this from happening.”

God is there for us even in our darkest moments. He doesn’t protect us from pain; because it is from the pain we learn and grow. He has a plan for us. Our lives affect so many others. We can make a difference by sharing what we have learned. There is a divine purpose for each of us.

Faith at the darkest moment can take many forms. Some people are only fair weather Christians. Others do not think about God until the dark moment. Their life flashes before their eyes and they cry out to Him for help.

When experiencing a dark moment, we have two choices: gain strength by relying on Him and trusting Him, or turning away. Even if we turn away, God is there for us. He is patient and waits for us to return.

Zachariah, the protagonist in my debut novel Living Half Free, struggles with his faith. As a slave in the antebellum south, each day of his life is filled with pain. He witnesses and experiences abuse at his master’s hands. His mother raised him to be Christian, took him to church, but when he is sold and separated from her, his faith wavers. Each day is like a dark moment. He doesn’t know how much he can take.

But, God never gives us more than we can handle. Zachariah discovers his true strength. With the guidance of a Lillian a headstrong Cherokee woman, he takes on the racist south. Changing the minds and hearts of society would be like moving a mountain. But, even changing the views of one person makes a difference.

Sometimes we want it all, we are so occupied with the big picture that we are blinded to the little blessings. Zachariah learns to be grateful for each day. Have you?

Book Teaser for Living Half Free:

When Zachariah, a naïve mulatto slave, is sold to a Kentucky slave trader, and separated from his ma and sister, he realizes the true meaning of not having rights. Seeking escape, he falls in love with a Cherokee woman, under whose direction he learns to pass as white. But, he must find his voice, and the courage to stand up for his beliefs or else lose everyone he loves forever.

Bio: 

HALEY WHITEHALL has a B.A in history and has been studying the Civil War era since the 5th grade. She likes to write out of the box stories that feature an underdog. LIVING HALF FREE is her debut novel. Released February 29, the ebook can be found at Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords. Find out more about Haley through her website or connect with her on Twitter @HaleyWhitehall or Facebook.

S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H

[S]tand, even though you want to fall
[T]rust someone other than yourself
[R]each out to help others
[E]njoy the peace that God gives you
[N]ever give into evil or temptations
[G]ive courage to those who need it
[T]reat God's word with respect
[H]old onto God's love and promises in your heart


Written By,
Claysong(C)

God's C.A.R.E

[C]aressing us in His arms does He.

[A]llowing us to walk with Him freely.

[R]ejuvinating our hearts and souls completely.

[E]mbracing us calmly and sweetly

Written By,

Claysong (C)

To H.E.A.L.

[H]old onto God's promises
[E]mbrace His changes
[A]ccept His forgiveness
[L]et go of worthlessness


Written By,
Claysong (C)

M.E.R.C.Y

[M]ind boggling grace given
[E]veryday despite our actions
[R]ecieving unfailing love
[C]ontinuously seeking Him
[Y]ielding to His directions always


Written By,
Claysong (C)

Hold On

I once was lost but now
I'm found; your love keeps
me on solid ground.

Hold onto your dreams
of me; please never set
me free.

Your love has softened
a hardened heart; without
you, I may fall apart.

The two of us has become
one; together we can make
life fun.

Let our love grow with
each morn; please, just
hold on.


Written By,
Claysong (C)

God's Promises

             God's Promises....  Are true
      With God's promises... He will get you through
             God's promises.... are unfailing
       With God's promises...you no longer need to be wailing



Written By,
Claysong (C)

H.E.L.P

[H]eed God's words like a trusted loved one
[E]late those that are down and depressed
[L]et go of your egotistical ways
[P]ermeate lovingkindness to all you meet

Written By,
Claysong (C)

Holy Father

As gloves warm our hands,
your love warms our hearts.

As Mercy covers us like a coat,
your faithfulness itself promotes.



Written By,
Claysong (C)

C.O.M.F.O.R.T

[C]ontemplating pressures?
[O]rganize your priorities
[M]aster your feelings
[F]orgive yourself~move forward
[O]oh wee!what changes God has made in you!
[R]ejuvenate your spirit
[T]ransform yourself



Written By,
Claysong (C)

W.O.R.S.H.I.P

[W]orthy is He to embrace
[O]ffering heartfelt Thanks for all
[R]ejuvenating your Spirit
[S]haring His love with others
[H]olding onto your Faith
[I]nhabiting His unfailing love
[P]raising Him always



Written By,
Claysong

R.A.I.N

[R]each for God and go
[A]gainst the flesh, it will help you
[I]ncrease a life that is
[N]everending with Him


Written By,
Claysong

Song-Lord I'm Holdin'

Chorus beginning- Lord, I'm holdin', holdin' on to you
Lord, I never wanna let go, how can I show you that I'm
holdin', holdin' on to you

Vs I-Lord, I wouldn't be here without you, don't you
know I'm in love with you, 'cause without you life
wouldn't be (wouldn't be the same) the same.
sometimes this ol' life seems, seems like a game
(like a game)

Chorus-'Cause I'm holdin', holdin' on to you,
Lord I never wanna let go, How can I show you,
how can I thank you for holdin', holdin' on to me (2x)

Vs II- Lord I could never repay you, for what you've
done in a million years; you know I've cried, cried so
many tears, only because of you, my life is changing
gears

(Back to Chorus) then ending with- Lord, I'm holdin'
holdin' on to you. Lord I never wanna let go, how can
I show you that I'm holdin', holdin' on to you____


Written By,
Claysong (C)